Did you say maintenance?

[PennyC]

I became motivated to work at weight loss for my daughter's wedding. It was supposed to be in Hawaii in June. I was already low-carbing, and I added in more intense exercise (that means upping the resistance on my recumbent bike). I've lost 13 pounds, which isn't bad for a 5'2" 70-year-old. Now I'm at a good weight for me and most of my pudgy belly is gone.

Well, daughter just told me the wedding might be postponed for a YEAR. I get it, in fact, I was never sure the timing was going to work, but this means I have to stay strong for a loooong time. The clothes I've already bought or made will have to fit me just right in a YEAR.
Oy.

[piddyprints]

1. Why not adopt a permanent healthy lifestyle?

Losing weight for one occasion is a recipe for failure down the road. Keep exercising and eating healthy.

I’ve been working out daily for over 4 years now using a steaming service. I’m stronger, leaner, and more fit than I have ever been. Sure, I have ice cream now and then, but I don’t want to go back to where I was. And I’d challenge anyone I know, man or woman, to push-ups ... toes, not knees. Four years ago, I couldn’t do one push-up, even on my knees.

Oh, I’m a 5’1” 64-year-old with 2 knee replacements who can do squats and lunges with weights.

Keep taking care of yourself. Your daughter will thank you years after the wedding. You got this!

[PennyC]

2. Well,yeah, but...

...that IS my plan and my goal.
I'm just afraid that I'll blow it somehow. My will power can vanish in the wink of a chocolate bar! I am trying hard to stay with the program...since I do make most of my clothes, I can tell you it's a lot more fun to make things now than when i was just going for stuff that covered up my pudge.

[piddyprints]

5. I get it.

So don't think you blew it when you eat a chocolate bar. Get back on the horse, as they say. You can have treats now and then. That doesn't mean you blew it. Just keep trying to eat healthy things.

It definitely is more fun to make and buy clothes when you feel better about how you look. Don't give up. Even if you eat a side of beef and a bushel of potatoes with gravy one day, you can start again the next day.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. A year ago I was on a cruise.

I was well aware that too many people eat as much as they possibly can on the cruise and gain weight. I was determined not to do that, so I was careful about where and when I ate, and got off the ship weighing exactly the same as I got on.

Then I decided it was time I lost enough weight to get my BMI into a normal range. So I simply cut way back on what I ate. No formal diet. Worked for me. I'm down at least 35 pounds. Would like to lose ten more.

Keep in mind that exercise really doesn't take off weight, but is wonderful for fitness, so it's still a very good thing.

I'm 72 years old.

[piddyprints]

6. Good job!

Exercise does help with weight loss because it raises your metabolism. Also, muscle is more active than fat, so putting on muscle weight will help burn more calories. I read somewhere that as we age, we lose muscle mass at an accelerated rate. So doing weight bearing exercise is good to help keep muscle mass, which also helps the bones.

I have weighed less than I do now, but have never been as lean. Working out helped me lose 25 pounds, but so did eating healthier.

Congrats on your weight loss and on not gaining weight on the cruise! That is constant temptation.

[Ocelot II]

4. Being on voluntary house arrest for a year actually made dieting possible for me.

Since I decided I wouldn't venture out to a grocery store at all, but would order everything on line for delivery, I was able to avoid the temptation of high-carb food. Since last March I've cut out carbs as much as possible - no bread, pasta, pastries, sweets, desserts, etc., and it made a world of difference. Also took up walking 2-4 miles every day without fail (including through the Polar Vortex), and I've now lost about 50 lbs. (didn't realize how much I'd let myself go since I retired), now down to size 12 from size 18 and no longer "overweight" per standard weight and BMI charts, but would like to lose maybe another 7 or 8 lbs.

You can do it, too. I got used to a rather monotonous diet fairly quickly, and it helps a lot that I live alone and don't have to deal with what anybody else is eating. Just keep doing it, one day at a time, and keep thinking about that wedding in Hawaii.

[PennyC]

7. Exercise did it for me

Last edited Thu Mar 18, 2021, 04:33 PM - Edit history (1)

I have been following a rather strict low-carb regimen without any cheats for months and riding my bike. It wasn't until I started pushing myself on the bike that weight started to come off. I made just a few changes to diet, which may have helped, too. Less cream in my coffee and very little munching on nuts as a snack.
I appreciate the support!
And let me add, nobody looks at you and "sees" what you weigh...it's the shape you're in. You can be 125 pounds and flabby or 125 pounds and toned.

[PennyC]

8. Officially postponed

Daughter just confirmed that the wedding will now be June 2022.
I've bought shoes, a fancy purse, and made a bunch of dresses for the lesser events, and I have a dress for the wedding due to be delivered later this month. That stuff will keep. (Plus, I can wait to schedule the dress fitting.)
Meanwhile, my fitness plan has continued. The biking is doing a super job on my lower half -- I've lost a bunch of inches off my waist and hips -- and this extra time will allow me to incorporate some upper-body stuff to work my old-lady arms.

[PennyC]

9. So far so good

The exercise bike has begun to die, and we ordered a new super-duper one. All I needed was a little stand for a book or Kindle, but Hubby reely reely wanted the videos that show you traveling as you bike. He likes to immerse himself in the cycling experience while I want to pretend it's not happening lol.
Chiropractor advised me on arm exercise that's neck-and-back safe and I've added in some easy abs work, too.
My dress for daughter's wedding arrived at the bridal shop. I'll definitely wait to get the alterations done, but now I'll be able to match the color for a little dressy cloth purse.